Judge fines Longshore union another $65,000

TACOMA, Wash. — A federal judge has fined a Longshore union another $65,000 for blocking a train in Longview. That brings the total fine to over $300,000.

U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton said in a decision released Tuesday that the union violated an injunction in the mobilization on September 21. He had previously fined the International Longshore and Warehouse Union for protests earlier in the month, although the union has since appealed that ruling

The latest fine includes money for the National Labor Relations Board, terminal operator EGT and various law enforcement agencies. About a dozen people were arrested for blocking the train.

The ILWU believes its members have the right to work at the grain terminal. EGT has hired another firm that is staffing with workers from a different union.